Belt buckle



June 16, 1925. l 1,542,246

A. HoGAsslAN BELT BUCKLE Filed April 24, 1924 2 sheets-sheen 1 June 16, 1925. 1,542,246

A. HoGAsslAN BEL' Bulb-xm;

Filed April 24, 3924. 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gwuentm:

ram Hopwdam' Patented .lune 16, 1925.

1512,24@ ERICE;

eee-14 assess-sv! @s van was, 1t

BELT Boonen.'

apliucauqn mea April 24;,

ToaZZ '1o/2,0771, igt may concern.'

lie `it known that I, Anima Hoa-leeren, a citizen ofArmenia, residing at city ofNew York, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful improvements in` Belt luckles, 'of which the following is a sfieoiiication. f

This invention relates to improvements in belt buckles and more particularlyto that` type which are placed upon the market and sold independently the belt.

There are various designs of buckles of this Vtype `which embodynieans for frictionally grippingl the free end fportion of the belt after' the belt has4 been tightened, and ordinarily the gripping elementis arranged to' engage the outer or finished surfafefof the belt.'

The tendency of the belt to slip, when equipped with such a buckle, results in mutilation of the belt' to a greater or less extent, thereby rendering it unsightly. Furthermore, therey is, in such buckles, an absence of any positive locking means to prevent displacement of the parte ofthe buckle and permit slipping of the belt. Therefore, it is one of the important objects of 'the present ii'ivention toprovide a belt buckle which. will overcome these disadvantages and obviate any mutilation ofthe belt and etfectually preventslipping of the belt, after it has been adjusted.

Another disadvantage presented by belt buckles of the type referred to above is that they themselves do not conforml snugly to the contour `of the body when applied and adjusted and in the majority of instances,` they so distort thebelt .that ity likewise,vr at the portion of its length which is adjacent the buckle, does not conformI snugly to the contour of the body. Therefore, is another important object of the invention to provide a buckle so constructed a'sfto obviate these disadvantages,` thus `rendering the buckle and the belt to which` it is applied more attractive and neate'rl in appearance than belts equipped with buckles presenting the disadvantages outlined.

The buckle of the present invention embodies, as usual, a face plate and means carried thereby for coaction `with the free end? portion of the belt`for holding the belt in place after ithas been adjusted about the body and another importantv object of the invention is to so' constructV the holding means that it will firmly and snugly hold 1924. Silerlial No. 708,794.

the belt against' the rear face of the faceV plate s'o that the Vbelt willlie perfectly flat or snug against this face and, therefore, not be distorted as is ordinarily thecase.

Another important object"` ofthe invention is to provide 'means for automatically locking tlie holdingmeans referred to above, at the time and afterthe belt has been tightened or adjusted,"so that there will be no tendency toward or 'likelihood ofthe `holdingineans becoming displaced with relation to-the 'face plate at such-time as body move-` ment mighttemporarily contract the abdomen and monientarilyleave the belt more orf'less slack.

i In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is aperspective view of one form of buckle embodying the invention, the view illustrating also the belt to which the buckle is connected. i

Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the buckle and tlie adjacent portion of the belt.

' Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2, looking 'in' the `direction of the arroivs,"the buckle being closed. i Y -"Figu're` l is a perspective view of the buckle looking at the rear side thereof, the belt holdingmember ofthe buckle ybei g showna's swung to open position. Figure 5 is a detail vertical'front to rear sectional viewftaken substantially on' the line 545 of Figure '-l, looking in the direction of the arrows. i A

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure l, illustrating another embodiment of the linvention. Y

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure i2 illustrating the modification shown in -ligure 6.

'Figure 8 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on' the line 88 of Figure 7. v

VFigure 9 is a perspective view of the buckle, the'belt holding means being shown swung to open position. Figure l`0` is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 10-10 of Figure 9, looking in the direction of the arrows. A

Referring first to that embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures l t0 5 inclusive,f the buckle 'comprises a faceplate which is indicated in general by the numeral l and which may have its outer face embossed or otherwfiseornamentedV in any desired manner as is customary in articles of this class. Preferably, this face plate is both longitudinally and vertically curved, as will be evident by a comparison of Figures 3 and 5 of the drawings, the curvature being relatively slight but, at the same time, of suflicient degree to insure of a secure locking of the belt in a manner which will presently be explained. At its upper and lower edges, the face plate l is provided with rearwardly projecting flanges which are indicated by the numeral Q, these flanges eX- tending longitudinally of the respective edges of the face plate preferably for a considerable portion of the said edges. For a purpose to be presently explained, the flanges 2 each have one end portion deflected inwardly to a slight degree, as indicated by the numeral 3 and as clearly shown in Figure 5 of the drawings, and, by stamping or otherwise, the deflected end portion 3 of each flange is provided with a relatively short longitudinally extending inwardly presented rib 4; adjacent its longitudinal free edge.

The bail of the buckle is indicated in general by the numeral 5, and the said bail is in the general form of a hollow rectangle and includes upper and lower sides 6, a bar T connecting the inner ends of the said sides, and a bar 8 connecting the outer ends of the sides, the former bar having its ends projecting beyond the said side members 6 so as to provide short tongues which fit pivotn ally in openings formed in the flanges 2. The side members 6 of the bail are preferably flat-sided and their longitudinal edges l0, which are to be presented toward the rear face of the face plate l, in the closed position of the bail, may be curved to conform substantially to the longitudinal curvature of the said face plate l, their opposite longitudinal edges being, however, preferably straight. For a purpose to be presently explained, the bar 7 is longitudinally curved and its curvature conforms substantially vto the vertical curvature of the face plate l. This bar 7 is likewise provided with a tongue 11 which is slightly longitudinally curved and extends from the said bar in the general direction of the bar 8, the extremity of the tongue being 'transversely rounded, as'indicated by the numeral l2. The curvature of the tongue ll is on such a line that when the bail is swung to position lying against the rear face of the face plate l, the extremity of the tongue will be presented directly toward the said face of the face plate. A loop l?) is provided at the outer end of the bail and is integrally connected at its ends to the outer corners of the bail frame. This loop constitutes a means whereby the buckle may be permanently connected with one end of the `pelt, which belt is indicated in the drawings by the numeral 14, and the said belt is looped at its said end through the said loop and said end is secured preferably by snap fasteners indicated by the numeral l5, as is customary in articles of this class.

Then it is desired to apply the belt about the body, the bail 5 is swung substantially to the position shown in Figure et of the drawings, and the free end portion of the belt, which is provided with the usual openings 16, is inserted through the bail frame, and the belt tightened, that end of the face plate l toward which the tongue ll then projects, being swung slightly outwardly from the body so that the said free end portion of the belt will ride over the tongue until, when lthe belt has been tightened, one of the openings 16 therein will be in position to receive the said tongue. At this time, the said end of the face plate l is released, and due to the tensioned state of the belt le, the bail 5 will be held securely in a position lying very close to the rear face of the face -plate l and, in fact, with the edges l() of its side members substantially in contact with the said rear face of the face plate. The curvature of the tongue ll is such that not only will the tongue engage through the said opening 16 in the belt, clearly shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, but, furthermore, the tongue will be caused to bear firmly against the inner side of the adjacent portion of the belt, as shown in said ligure, so as to snugly bind this portion of the belt and the adjacent portions against the inner face of the said face plate. lt will be evident that, due to the longitudinal and vertical curvature of the face plate and the corresponding curvature of the bar 7 ol the bail, the portion of the belt which is engaged through the buckle will be correspondingly curved to thus render the article smooth and neat in appearance. As the bail 5 assumes its locking position, the side members (3 of the bail frame will move past the deflected end portions of the flanges 2 and past the ribs 4 upon these end portions of the flanges and, due to the resiliency of the flanges 2, the straight edges of the said side members t5 will snap behind the ribs and the bail will thus be securely locked against displace-nient with relation to the face plate l of the buckle.

The form of the invention just described is adapted for application both to men"s and ladies belts and is especially well adapted for the latter use inasmuch as ladies7 belts are sometimes worn more or less loosely and yet, notwithstanding this fact, there is no likelihood of the belt slipping or any displacement of the holding member of the buckle with relation to the face plate thereof such as would release the belt.

Referring now to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 6 to l0 inlue liY

elusive, the buckle is indicated in general by the nume-ral 117 andthe saine comprise a face` plate 18 which corresponds in contour substantially tothe face plate o f the previously described `form of buckle. Flanges 19 are formed at the upper and lower edges of the face plate 1S and project rearwardly from the said plate and each flange has a deflected end portion indicated by the numeral 2O and corresponding to the deflected end portions of the flanges previously described, Likewise, as in the previously described form, the deflected portion 2() of each of the flanges 19 is provided with a ribl. In this embodiment, each flange is provided at its rear edge with a belt guiding lip 22 projecting substantially at right'angles from the plane of the flange 19 and in an inward direction so that the `lips are presented toward each other in spaced relation. Y i

The numeral "indicates in general the bail of the buckle and this bail is of approimately rectangular forni and substan` tially flats-sided. AtA one side, Ythe metal of which the bail is formed,` is bent upon itself to provide a sleeve 24, and a pivot pin Q5 engages through this sleeve and is anchored at its ends in the flanges 19 at points substantially midway between the ends of the said flanges, the bail being in this manner swingingly connected with the face plate 18. The bail 23 has straight upper and lower edges which are designed to ride past the deflected end portions 2O and the ribs Q1 of the flangesV 19 as the bail is swung to locking or gripping position, and the bail is thus locked in the saine manner as the bail of the previously describedform of the invention, J

This lembodiment of the invention is of i the friction type and the invention contemplates a novel arrangement of friction gripping elements upon the bail 23 to insure of a positive gripping of the free end portion of the belt when inserted through the buckle and adjusted. One of these elements is in the nature of a gripping tongue 2G which may constitute a continuation of one side of the bend forming the sleeve 24, or may constitute a separate element integrally united to the said side of the bend. In any event, the said tongue is provided with a gripping et ge 27 which is curved on an arc correspending to the arc of curvature of the face plate 18 from top to bottoni, and the tongue is located at that side of the bail 23 Which is presented toward the face plate, when the bail is in gripping position. Another one of the gripping elements referred to above is in the form of a tongue'28 stamped out from the plate comprising the bail 23 and curved in a direction to have its free end presented toward the rear face of the faceplate 18 when the bail is in gripping position, this end of the seid tongue being rounded as indicated by the numeral 2.9, so as not to injure the belt. The third element is indi-4 cated by the numeral 8,() and constitutes that portion of the bail which is located immo? diately beyond the tongue Q8 in the direcn tion of the free end of the bail, this grip` ping element being a relatively narrow Vportion of the plate from which the bail is formed and being deflected or bent from the plane of the bail plate, as indicated by the numeral 31, so as to provide a rounded or curved bearing surface to engage with the inner side of the belt, lclearly shown in Figure 8 of the drawings. The bail is pro* vided at its free end with a loop corre sponding to the loop at the free end of the bull of the previously described forni of buckle, and one en d of the belt, indicated by the numeral 33, is looped through this loop and secured by the usual snap fasteners 34. ln applying the belt with the present form of buckle, the bail is swung outwardly approximately to the position shown in Fig Vure 9, and the free end portion of the belt is inserted behind the guide lips 22 and between the rear face of the face plate 18 and the pivot for the bail, the belt being then drawn about the body until the desired adjustment is obtained, and then being released. The tendency of the free end portion of the belt to slip through the bijickle and the engagement of the edge 27 of the tongue 26 with the in-` ner side ofthe belt results in the.` bail being drawn closely to the rear face of the face plate`18 so that this edge ofthe tongue will firmly bite into the belt as will also the rounded end 29 of the tongue 28, Likewise, the rounded bearing or gripping pore tion 30 of the bail will be caused to bear firmly against the inner side of the belt and due to the corresponding curvature of this part and the face plate 18 and likewise the corresponding curvature of the edge 27 of the tongue 2G and the said face plate 18, the belt will be firmly held in place between the gripping elements and the face plate andl slippage of the belt will be positively pre-4 vent-ed. Y

From the foregoing description of the invention, it will be evident that in both forms thereof, the buckle may be readily and conveniently applied to a belt designed for use in connection with buckles of this general type and, when applied, will permit of convenient adjustment of the belt about the body and insure against loss of the original adjustment through slippage of the belt or a displacement of the parts of the buckle as frequently occurs in the use of previously designed buckles of this class.

The form of Abuckle last described is `designed especially for adaptation to mens belts inasmuch as such belts are ordinarily Cil more or less tightly drawn about the body.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is:

l. A belt buckle comprising a face plate, a bail swingingly mounted thereon, means upon the bail for the connection thereto of one end of a belt ordinary type provided with openings, and a tongue upon the bail for engagement in the said openings in the belt, the said bail having an open portion through which the belt end is insertible and the said tongue projecting into said open portion of the bail.

A belt buckle comprising a face plate, a bail swingingly mounted thereon, means upon the bail for the connection thereto of one end of a belt of ordinary type provided with openings, and a tongue upon the bail for engagement in the said openings in the belt, the said bail having an open portion through which the belt end is insertible and the said tongue projecting into said open portion of the bail and being curved in a direction to present its free end toward the rear face of the face plate when the bail .is in holding position.

23. A belt buckle comprising a face plate, a bail swingingly mounted thereon, and of open rectangular form, one side of the bail having projecting end portions pivotally connected with portions of the face plate to provide for such swinging movement of the bail, means at the opposite side of the said bail for the connection thereto of one end of the belt, and a tongue upon the first mentioned side of the bail projecting therefrom in an inward direction toward the last mentioned side of the bail and curved for engagement through openings in the said belt and in a direction to have its extremity presented toward the rear face of the face plate when the bail is in holding position.

Ll. A belt buckle comprising a face plate, a bail swingingly mounted thereon and of open rectangular form, one side of the bail having projecting end portions pivotall)Y connected with portions of the face plate to 'presented toward the rear face of the face plate when the bail is in holding position, said face plate being longitudinally and perpendicularly curved, and the first mentioned side of the bail being curved to conform substantially to the perpendicular curvature of the said face plate.

5. A belt buckle comprising a face plate, flanges at the upper and lower edges of the plate, the said flanges each having one end deflected toward the other flange, a bail swingingly mounted upon the face plate between the said llanges and having side members for frictional engagement behind the deflected end portions of the said flanges in the holding position of the bail, and means upon the. bail for holding engagement with the belt, the said deflected end portions ofv the tlanges having ribs upon their opposing faces for coaction with the said members of the bail to lock the same in holding position.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature,

ARAM HOGASSAN L. sx] 

